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Road trips are about to get a whole lot more fun (and safe) if Dutch design firms Studio Roosegaarde and Hejimans Infrastructure get the chance to bring their latest concept to life. The two companies recently teamed up to unveil their vision for roads of the future. Their “Smart Highway” would use glow-in-the-dark lane lines and dynamic weather-sensing paint to make traveling by road safer than ever before.

The “Smart Highway” concept is all about reducing in-car distractions so drivers can pay more attention to the road, while also allowing the road to communicate with the driver for a complete safe driving experience. The first (and undoubtedly most exciting) feature would be luminescent lane lines that would stock up on sunlight during the day and glow brightly at night. No more losing track of the road in rain, fog or snow!

Next, dynamic paint would be added to the road’s surface, communicating information conditions as you drive. This paint could change color or illuminate a pattern in the presence of water, ice, or other elements that could make driving dangerous. And that’s not all: the Dutch firms also want include ‘induction priority lanes’ for electric and ‘wind lights’ that would only illuminate as a car flies by. It all adds up to even greater interactivity and socially conscious driving.

Think it all sounds to incredible to be true? Think again. Studio Roosegaarde and Hejimans Infrastructure were awarded with a ‘best future concept’ by the Dutch Design Awards and say that they’ll build the first few meters of their “Smart Highway” in the Netherlands next year.

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Slideshow

Dutch smart highway

1 of 5

Road trips are about to get a whole lot more fun (and safe) if Dutch design firms Studio Roosegaarde and Hejimans Infrastructure get the chance to bring their latest concept to life. The two companies recently teamed up to unveil their vision for roads of the future. Their "Smart Highway" would use glow-in-the-dark lane lines and dynamic weather-sensing paint to make traveling by road safer than ever before.

Dutch smart highway

2 of 5

Road trips are about to get a whole lot more fun (and safe) if Dutch design firms Studio Roosegaarde and Hejimans Infrastructure get the chance to bring their latest concept to life. The two companies recently teamed up to unveil their vision for roads of the future. Their "Smart Highway" would use glow-in-the-dark lane lines and dynamic weather-sensing paint to make traveling by road safer than ever before.

Dutch Smart Highway with interactive lighting.

Dutch Smart Highway 3

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Dutch Smart Highway with interactive lighting.

Dutch Smart Highway with EV priority lanes.

Dutch Smart Highway 4

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Dutch Smart Highway with EV priority lanes.

Dutch smart highway

5 of 5

Road trips are about to get a whole lot more fun (and safe) if Dutch design firms Studio Roosegaarde and Hejimans Infrastructure get the chance to bring their latest concept to life. The two companies recently teamed up to unveil their vision for roads of the future. Their "Smart Highway" would use glow-in-the-dark lane lines and dynamic weather-sensing paint to make traveling by road safer than ever before.